Discussion: Substack Etiquette
Erotica porn, loving trolls, blocked readers, paid opinions, engaged hate, straight-edge, curated thoughts, narrow minds, open hearts, closed commentary.
Substack Etiquette: Navigating the Equestrian Zone
Substack is a refuge—a desired alternative to the noise of social media platforms and click-driven journalism. Imagine it as buying into an equestrian-zoned community. You’ve chosen this place for its openness, freedom, and the shared understanding that everyone gets to enjoy their own plot of land, horses included. But what happens when you start noticing the smell of horse shit? Some buyers might adapt, while others set out to change the zoning entirely.
Each of these trends reflects the growing pains of a platform that attracts diverse creators and audiences. Let’s explore these tensions through the lens of the equestrian community metaphor.
The beauty of Substack is its openness—a blank canvas for creators to explore, provoke, and connect. But with this freedom comes an undercurrent of questions about etiquette. What’s fair game? What pushes boundaries? And how do we navigate the reactions that inevitably follow?
I’ve been a writer on Substack since 12/30/20. My first featured interview on mxdwn.com dropped in January of 2023. Many methods measure metrics, and Substack provides more data than I can digest. I’m sure I speak for others in expressing some bewilderment of all of the dashboard gadgets and graphs. But as my subscriber count advances and my engagement metric increases, I’m drawn to drilling down into all that.
But the most compelling aspect of Substackia, to me, is the variety of creators. The most depressing encounters in the land of Stack are the ones lamenting the variety of creators. Erotic Porn, or Pornographic Erotica, has ruffled some kerfuffles and seems to draw even more attention, hence more algorithmic attraction to the subject.
I’m loving it. Yeah, porn. It’s a billion dollar business that created and defined entertainment industries (BETA vs. VCR), while literally being sued and harrassed for decades if not centuries. But what is on Substack is not porn. By any stretch of the imagination. In fact, there is a well-defined prohibition description about nakedness for fun. Porn here must be for thoughtful analysis. Playboy/Substack for art(icles): Hustler/PornHub for porn. Let’s call it SubHub - soft-porn for hard-edge.
So what’s the rub? All kinds, I’d say. For instance, allowing comments from paid subscribers only. Immediate turn-off, especially after reading a great post. Many writers have resonated with me after stumbling onto their platform and reading their stories or consuming their art. I am so engaged I can’t wait to leave a Wow! on their comment page. ONLY PAID SUBSCRIBERS CAN COMMENT.
Wow! indeed. And there’s more to consider. From erotica to trolls, the ethics of blocking to the wisdom of curating conversations, these trends say as much about the platform as they do about us as creators and readers. Let’s dive in.
Erotica & Porn: The Horses in the Field
Erotica on Substack is like the horses grazing on open pastures. They’re an expected part of the landscape—majestic to some, a nuisance to others. But inevitably, someone starts complaining about the horse shit.
The Allure: For some, the presence of horses is exactly why they moved here. Erotica, much like the horses, adds vibrancy and character. It’s a reminder of Substack’s commitment to freedom of expression, offering a space for taboo topics to be explored with nuance and creativity.
The Complaints: Others, despite buying into the equestrian zone, realize they don’t like the sight—or smell—of horses. They expected intellectual gardens and literary fountains, not provocative content. Their discomfort often stems from deeper cultural taboos around sexuality and openness.
The Zoning Battle: Efforts to change the “zoning” might include demands for better tagging, stricter content guidelines, or silos where erotica exists away from general visibility. But where do you draw the line? How do you preserve freedom without compromising reader comfort?
Adaptation or Escalation: Readers have a choice: adapt to the diverse content on Substack, or escalate their discomfort into broader calls for censorship. Which direction should the platform lean into?
Loving Trolls: The Neighbor Who Won’t Shut Up About Your Fencing
Loving trolls are like the neighbor who drops by uninvited to critique your fencing. They might be irritating, but they’re not entirely wrong—and they’re rarely quiet.
The Value of Dissent: While their tone can be abrasive, loving trolls often keep the neighborhood interesting. Their critiques, when not outright hostile, can sharpen your arguments or help you see blind spots in your own writing.
The Emotional Toll: Even the most well-meaning troll requires energy. Creators often have to weigh the emotional labor of engaging with them against the value they might bring.
Finding the Humor: Turning their comments into a source of humor or content can be a way to reclaim control. After all, the neighbor with the loudest opinions often makes the best stories.
Setting Boundaries: At some point, even the most loving troll might need to be told to mind their own business—or find a new fence to lean on.
Blocking Readers: The Locked Gate
Blocking readers is like building a tall fence with a locked gate. It’s your right as a property owner, but it changes how others perceive your presence in the neighborhood.
Protecting Your Space: Sometimes the horse shit becomes too much to bear, and a locked gate is the only way to preserve your peace of mind. Blocking readers who cross boundaries is not about silencing dissent but about setting healthy limits.
The Backlash: Critics of blocking argue that it diminishes accountability, especially when public words are no longer open to public scrutiny. But what’s the cost of leaving the gate open to every passerby with an opinion?
Community Dynamics: When too many creators start locking their gates, the neighborhood feels less communal. Creators risk losing the lively, interactive spirit that makes Substack different from traditional blogs or media outlets.
Accountability or Self-Care?: This is the heart of the debate. Are creators shirking accountability, or are they prioritizing their mental health?
Paid Opinions: Charging for a Tour of Your Barn
Paid subscriptions are like inviting neighbors to tour your barn—but only if they pay for the privilege. The decision to charge adds a layer of exclusivity to what was once a more open community.
Filtering the Audience: Charging for access naturally weeds out casual readers and trolls. Those who pay are typically more invested in the content, leading to higher-quality interactions.
The Risk of Elitism: Not everyone can afford to pay, and restricting access can feel exclusionary. Does this shift the dynamic from a public square to a private club?
Creating Accountability: Readers with financial skin in the game often engage more thoughtfully. They’re less likely to fling horse shit over the fence and more likely to approach discussions with respect.
Engaging Hate: The Argument Over the Fence
Hate mail and toxic comments are like a neighbor who throws horse shit over your fence just to get a rise out of you.
The Decision to Engage: Responding to hate is a calculated risk. Public engagement can rally supportive neighbors, but it also risks escalating the conflict and emboldening the troublemaker.
Cost vs. Reward: Creators must ask themselves: Is the energy spent arguing with a hateful neighbor worth it, or is it better spent fertilizing your own garden?
Public Callouts: Addressing hate in a public forum can be empowering, but it needs to be done carefully to avoid feeding the flames.
Straight-Edge Content: The Organic Farm Movement
The rise of sobriety-focused newsletters is like an organic farm in the community. It’s clean, intentional, and draws a devoted following.
A Welcome Alternative: For readers seeking mindfulness and self-improvement, straight-edge content offers a sanctuary.
Clashing Values: Just as organic farmers might clash with horse owners over pesticide use or grazing space, straight-edge creators sometimes bristle at Substack’s edgier content.
Coexistence Challenges: Can a neighborhood thrive when some residents champion clean living while others revel in the wild and messy?
Curated Thoughts: The Pristine Garden
Curated content is like a perfectly maintained garden. It’s beautiful to look at, but it takes time and effort to cultivate.
The Slow Burn: Curated newsletters attract readers who value depth and intention, even if it means waiting longer between posts.
Risk of Perceived Elitism: Some neighbors might see the pristine garden as a sign of exclusivity or snobbery. Is this just jealousy, or does it point to a genuine gap in accessibility?
Narrow Minds, Open Hearts: The HOA Debates
The clash between narrow-mindedness and open-heartedness is like an HOA meeting gone awry. Some want strict rules; others want freedom.
Fostering Respect: Creators who model curiosity and openness can set the tone for healthier discussions, even when disagreements arise.
The Limits of Dialogue: Not every HOA meeting ends in harmony. Sometimes, it’s better to focus on building bridges with like-minded neighbors.
Closed Commentary: The Private Backyard
Closing comments is like putting up a sign that says “Private Property.” It’s not unneighborly—it’s just a boundary.
Preserving Peace: For some creators, the horse shit in the comments becomes overwhelming, and closing them is the only way to maintain focus and sanity.
Alternative Engagement: Hosting occasional community events (e.g., Q&A sessions) can keep the conversation alive without reopening the floodgates.
Final Reflection: The Horse Shit We Live With
Substack, like an equestrian-zoned community, thrives on its diversity and freedom. The horse shit may be unavoidable, but it’s part of what makes the neighborhood unique. The challenge is finding ways to coexist without losing the character that drew us here in the first place.
Substack is more than a platform—it’s a living, breathing community, shaped by the choices we make as creators and readers. These trends—provocative and polarizing—offer an opportunity to reflect on what kind of space we want to create.
Substack is a microcosm of larger societal dynamics—freedom, friction, and everything in between. As creators, we’re learning to navigate this space in real-time, setting boundaries and opening dialogues as we go. There’s no one-size-fits-all etiquette, but the guiding principle remains clear: authenticity, with a touch of grace.
What do you think? Are there unspoken rules or trends shaping your Substack experience? Are these trends enriching or eroding Substack’s appeal as a creative haven?
What’s your take on these trends? Let’s keep the conversation going—respectfully, of course. Or not. Your choice. Let’s discuss.
Ric
Here is just an example from today of a blocked comment. whatever bro
More and more people are coming here (good!), but importing some of the cultural norms from the other sites (bad!). That covers everything from follow-for-follow shams to tone policing. I don't have much of a taste for either.
Limiting comments to paid subscribers is the digital equivalent of screaming "BECAUSE I SAID SO!" in your readers' faces and walking away. The writer in this case is either too immature to accept criticism or only wants to make money off of their Substack, without caring for their readers' opinions.
I keep my articles and comments open because I WANT to engage with my readers. Granted, I would like to have more paid subscribers, but I can't force my readers to do that- it should entirely be their choice, as it was for me to take out the paid subscriptions I took out. And I need to create content that is worthy of getting me paid, of course.